It seems that everyone here has a 3.5 with the HD package. Does any one have a 5.0 w/ the HD?

Any regrets/ changes you would do?

Must you get the 157" or 163" WB for HD package?

Seems that payload is always the limiting factor, and rarely pulling power. Any non-owner opinions would be welcome too. BTW search feature sux, vBullitin!

edit: How does the mpg compare to the 3.5 guys when loaded and unloaded? Thanks!

 

w/ my 5.0 scab fx4 (3.73 rear end)
Unloaded doing 70 = 18.5, i usually do between 80-85 and get 16.8
Loaded (~6k lbs) doing 65 = 11, i usually do 72 and get 9.

Power is awesome, my last trip i honestly forgot it was back there a few times and in 6th gear on straight aways i'd notice i'd end up accelerating up to 80 before catching myself.

So far i have ~2600 miles loaded (16k on truck) and don't have one regret w/ my motor choice.

 

06, great feedback, thanks

Didn't know you could get HD package with FX4. Thought you needed LSD 3.73??

My 4.6 scab gets 14.5 MPG mostly highway@ 70 mph

 

no HD package, but power and mpg should be the same.

are you sure you can even get it w/ the 5.0?

 

yes, from what I saw on the ford site. Available with XLT and Lariat on trucks that have 3.73 LSD. Pretty sure you need 157" WB

 

I saw at least one guy posting on another site who has the 5.0 HD and towed with it. Loves the truck. I think either engine will make you happy. The 3.5 will get slighty better MPG if you are using it for for more cruising at hwy speeds. I think it's a wash while towing though, but the 3.5 will give you more power for towing heavy loads.

 

I believe that is true. I probably would have gone the HD -5.0 route if I could have found one in an Xtra cab.

I wouldn't think twice about getting an HD with the 5.0. I had the #7700 with the 2 valve 5.4 and that pulled and hauled just fine. The 5.0 blows that old 5.4 away and is getting me over 5 mpg better.

 

Thanks, seems this would be the best solution if you want an f-150 and tow 5th wheels often. Generally agreed that the 5.0 gets better mileage when loaded. Also save about $1k over Eco.

 

My observation is that if you baby an EB and stay out of the turbos, you get great gas mileage but if you drive it without considering the gas mileage, you don't get better and possibly not as good as the 5.0. I think that if you set the cruise at 70 on both the EB and a 5.0, you are going to get very close to the same mileage. That is assuming same configuration except for engine.

 

Negatives for the 5.0 Heavy-Duty: no Max Tow Package available, uses more oil, worse mileage empty, worse mileage under normal towing/hauling.

Negatives for the 3.5 Heavy-Duty: costs more, (but you get more hp/torque/better fuel econ).

You could probably make up the extra expense at the gas pump unless you are going to be towing very heavy every day all of the time up steep grades in extreme heat with bad gas.

In one of the Ford chats, the engineer said EcoBoost was more efficient during towing.

Phil the engineer said, "Under normal trailer tow conditions, the Ecoboost offers a clear fuel economy advantage over th 5.0 and 6.2L engines. The advantage may be reduced in steep grades and very high ambient temperatures if regular fuel is used."

 

Thanks guys. Don't want to turn this into a mpg thread. Focused now on oil consumption because I've heard that before Rambo. Max tow doesn't really seem to matter because payload is usually the bottleneck in most 5th wheel scenarios.

 

Linked for future readers

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/11...h-f150-hd.html